Fire Shadow: a Persistent Killer

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Aug 4, 2008

British MoD Embraces Loitering Weapons as Part of an Enhanced Precision Attack Operational Concept

The need for a weapon capable of loitering over the battle area, instantly responding to targets being exposed for very short period time, was identified during an early assessment phase under the UK’s IFPA (Indirect Fire Precision Attack) Assessment Phase 1 (AP1) program was concluded in 2005. Such weapons maintain long persistence over the battle area, maintaining concealed enemy elements, including air defense and surface missiles units at risk, when being prepared for launch. The second phase of the IFPA Assessment Program (AP2) is nearing conclusion, as it is re-assessing the planned mix of munitions against latest Defense Planning assumptions and scenarios informing the balance of investment between the currently envisaged mix of 155mm munitions, rockets and Loitering Munitions. MBDA and QinetiQ are part of the Ministry of Defence’s Joint Integrated Program Team (IPT), expected to deliver the final results soon.

The loitering weapon (LW) capability is being addressed by Team LW – a consortium comprising MBDA, QinetiQ, Roxel and Thales UK (the Team CW lead companies) plus the best in class in industry including appropriate SMEs and Academia, Blue Bear Systems Research, Cranfield Aerospace, Cranfield University, Lockheed Martin UK INSYS, Marshalls SV, Meggitt, Selex Sensors & Airborne Systems, Ultra Electronics and VEGA. Backed by £10million invested by the industry members in risk reduction aspects of the proposed system, the team launched the first loitering munition concept vehicle, named Fire Shadow, in April 2008, validating its endurance and maneuverability goals.

Officially launched at the Farnborough Air Show in July 2008, the loitering munition assessment phase is part of the overarching ‘Team Complex Weapons’ (Team CW) joint industry -MoD development roadmap. The assessment phase of the LW program is expected to conclude by 2011, to be followed by full scale development decision. The actual weapon could be introduced into service incrementally, beginning in 2011.

‘Fire Shadow’ will be designed to meet the UK’s requirement for an affordable weapon with an operating range exceeding 100km, and terminal attack precision in the ‘sub-metric’ CEP range (Circular Error of Probability). To meet complex rules of engagement, the weapon will features Man In The Loop (MITL) operation, enabling a human operator to overrule the weapon’s guidance and divert the weapon’s flight path or abort the attack and return to loiter mode in conditions where friendly forces are at risk, prevailing conditions do not comply with rules of engagement, o, where an attack could cause excessive collateral damage.

The loitering weapon will be targeted by Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) assets such as Watchkeeper and be compatible with other battlefield systems. The LM will be capable of loitering in the target area for around 10 hours and will be particularly effective in air-defense and ballistic missile suppression missions, and support operations requiring extended persistence, such as asymmetric counter-terror or operations in urban environments. Following launch, Fire Shadow will cruise to its loitering area the battle zone, where the weapon will be able to receive real-time target information from a range of sources in a potentially network or infocentric enabled environment. Such sources could include ISTAR aircraft or surveillance UAVs (Unmanned Air Vehicles) or even from an operator on the ground.

The goal set by the British MoD is to procure the Fire Shadow as a low-cost munition, at a unit cost comparable to that of a Guided MLRS round. Yet due to its extended persistence over the battlefield, Fire Shadow is expected to offer improved ‘yield’, having higher probability of engaging valuable targets over its extended mission.

Precision Guidance Kit (PGK) Improving the Accuracy of Artillery Fire

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Aug 3, 2008

Precision Guidance Kit (PGK) currently under development for the US Army, is a low cost fuze sized module intended to replace the standard fuzes used with artillery ammunition. PGK performs in-flight course correction to improve fire accuracy and effectiveness of tube artillery, enabling closer support of friendly forces.

PGK will complement other precision munitions such as Excalibur and Saber, offering significant improvement in fire effectiveness at an acceptable cost. PGK will be employed in three separate increments, with 155 and 105mm ammunition. The PGK will be set by the Enhanced Portable Inductive Artillery Fuze Setter (EPIAFS). PGK will Enables commanders to suppress enemy elements quicker and more efficiently
Complements precision munitions.

In the past two months BAE systems conducted two series of tests, as part of a second part of an interim testing for the U.S. Army’s Precision Guidance Kit (PGK) Technical Development program. The recent firings tested the fully autonomous GPS guided flight using M549 Rocket Assisted Projectiles (RAP) fired at a range of about 20.5 kilometers; the guided rounds demonstrated the ability to acquire GPS within the desired time and the ability to maneuver within the required 50-meter Circular Error Probable (CEP). The Army plans to award the development contract to the winner of the competitive shoot-off. Increment 1 PGK (<50m CEP accuracy with 155 HE rounds) is expected to be fielded in Fiscal Year 2009. Increment 2 will improve accuracy to 30 meters.

Other competitors for this program are ATK, which teamed with Rockwell Collins and Draper Labs. ATK developed a guidance system embedded into the fuse assembly of conventional projectiles. The kit uses a fixed canard design, which does not require complex activation or deployment of actuation. ATK claims the new guidance system will be able to reduce the calculated error point (CEP) below 20 meters (x10 time’s advantage over unguided artillery).

BAE Systems announced April 12, 2007 the conclusion of20 successful firings of a 155mm GPS-guided artillery projectile. The company is leading one of two teams competing for the PGK program. The recent test demonstrated the capability of the GPS guided high explosive, rocket assisted round to hit targets at a range 20.5 km with 50 meter (CEP) accuracy, which is the threshold of PGK increment 1. BAE Systems and ATK will participate in the ‘shoot-off’ which will determine the final winner of the program.

Successor for Brimstone, MMW Hellfire from MBDA

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Aug 1, 2008

MBDA is developing a 50kg modular weapon system as part of the Complex Weapons program, addressing future enhancements of the Brimstone air-launched anti-armor weapon, The new weapon will be designed as a modular platform ‘bus’, accommodating modules and subsystems designed for rapid technology insertion through the in-service life of the weapon system. This common missile approach could be adaptable for several families of weapons, with benefits of high production capacity and cost effective through life support. The new weapon is intended to enter service from around the middle of the next decade.

The threat set for this type of weapon is: typically mobile and likely to be capable of fast moving. It will include semi-hardened buildings such as command centers, mobile air defense units and light armored vehicles. Importantly, this new weapon is to discriminate its target when for example the moving “target” vehicle is close to similar sized “non-target” vehicles. The new weapon needs to be very flexible in its targeting which can take place from the platform itself or from a third party. Consequently the weapon must have very high degrees of precision with a lethal package that is focused – this combination ensures that collateral damage is limited and only the target area affected.

The new missile will establish a common weapon employed with army, air force, naval manned and unmanned strike fighters and helicopters. The weapon could be considered to replace the Hellfire on Apache helicopters, the Brimstone on existing fast jets, as well as the future SPEAR (Selected Precision Effects At Range) to me employed on future fast jets like the F-35B and possibly future combat UAVs like Taranis.

The fast jet requirements from the UK Royal Air Force, under the SPEAR requirement, is looking for the ability to engage mobile, re-locatable and fixed targets at long stand off ranges with extreme precision. This requirement recognizes the ever increasing demands placed by the dynamic rules of engagement particularly in complex environments which might include urban and built up areas where the risk of collateral damage is at its highest.

The Network Enabled Capable (NEC – datalink equipped) missile will accommodate a baseline GPS assisted guidance system augmented by an imaging seeker for pinpoint accuracy in the terminal phase. A range of seeker and warhead options are currently being evaluated to optimize the required low collateral precision effect. It will be used as principal weapon on current and future strike fighters including Tornado GR4, Eurofighter Typhoon, Apache and F-35B.

What’s Really Going On Behind The Scene in Tehran?

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David Eshel

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Jul 29, 2008

Mysterious Explosions

By David Eshel

A powerful mysterious blast that took place two weeks ago in the Tehran suburb of Khavarshahar near a Revolutionary Guards munitions warehouse and wrecked a convoy of Revolutionary Guard Corps vehicles that was allegedly carrying arms to Hezbollah. Although the blast was clearly heard throughout Tehran, the Revolutionary Guard imposed a complete clamp-down on any reports on the incident, and the Iranian media have also remained strangely silent about this incident . Intelligence sources have mentioned lately, that there has been a significant rise in the movement of weapons from Iran to Hezbollah in recent months, especially via Syria and even Turkey .

Supporting the Hezbollah

Those sources indicate a number of ways for the IRGC to deliver weapons to Hezbollah. One is overland – by means of Iranian trains and trucks crossing Turkey and reaching Syria, where they unload the weapons and transfer them directly to Hezbollah via the border between Syria and Lebanon. In May 2007, a shipment of Iranian weapons bound for Hezbollah was discovered after the Iranian train that was carrying them derailed as it passed through Turkey.

Another means of delivering weapons is believed to be by air. Iranian planes loaded with munitions are flying over Turkish air space to land at Damascus International Airport, where the weapons are unloaded. From there they are transferred in trucks over virtually unguarded Lebanese border, or by organized smuggling routes through the mountains .

Jerusalem’s is Alarmed

So concerned over this trend is the Israeli government, that two weeks ago the security cabinet convened a special meeting to discuss Hezbollah’s continued arming process, which is regarded highly disturbing, due to it’s size and quality. Of growing concern are suspected air defense weapons, which allegedly could endanger Israeli reconnaissance flights over Lebanon, which Israel regards vital for it’s real-time intelligence monitoring efforts .

According to reports, which seem coming from sources close to Israeli and other western intelligence agencies, the Khavarshahar explosion was just one of several mysterious incidents, which happened recently inside Iran. One occurred on April 12, at a mosque in the city of Shiraz, killing at least 12 people and wounded about 200. The London based Arab newspaper A-Sharq Al-Awsat reported that the explosion was caused by residual ammunition in the mosque following a recent military exhibition, commemorating the 1980-88 war with Iraq which had been held in the mosque. Another incident, which remains unexplained, happened earlier at an IRGC missile site that killed dozens of Iranian technicians .

Mysterious Blasts at an Iranian Missile Base

Reports emanating from Iran in January 2007 indicated a huge explosion in the Kerman area at the edge of the Kavir Lut. The Deputy Governor General of Kerman province Abulghassem Nasrollahi told a news agency of an unexplained crash, which was followed by an explosion and a thick spiral of smoke. Iranian authorities were investigating the crash, described witnesses watching an explosion “caused as a result of the crash of a radiant unidentified flying object onto the ground”. There are several secret military sites in the Kerman Province, among them a military plant which started assembling Chinese Cruise missiles, M-11 missiles with a range of 300 km, as well as CSS-2 missiles with a range of up to 1,000 km.

Last June, another mysterious explosion happened at Bidganeh near the town of Shahriar 40 kilometers east of Tehran. It occurred at a military installation, with Iranian authorities claiming the blast was caused by a “gas leak”. Western military sources are skeptical and believe the authorities are trying to cover up some sort of sabotage. In fact, a similar cover-up occurred back in 2005 following an explosion blast at Daylam, near the Bushehr nuclear site.

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Raptor Displays Super Aerodynamics at Farnborough 2008

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Jul 29, 2008

In a breathtaking demonstration of aerodynamics and power, the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor air dominance fighter claimed an uncontested position as a ‘superfighter’, streaking through the skies in a set of impressive maneuvers flown over Farnborough. “The display performed here is not unique airshow stunt” says Alan Norman, senior experimental test pilot at Lockheed Martin. “We performed here regular maneuvers flown by Raptor pilots as part of their air combat maneuvering.” The Raptor demonstrated only a small part of its performance, highlighting a ‘close combat’ scenario hitherto left shaded by the fighter’s air dominance capabilities.

f22_supersonic — F-22A Raptor seen during a supersonic weapon delivery test at Edwards AFB, where the air dominance fighter is undergoing flight testing with new Small Diameter Bomb weapons. Photo: USAF

The display highlighted ‘close combat’ scenarios hitherto unclaimed by the air dominance fighters, since it was assumed that Raptors will have the upper hand in any engagement even before it rolls down into close air-combat, through the use of superior situational picture and Beyond Visual Range (BVR) weapons.

“Like most air combat engagements, it tends to end in a dogfight and that’s where Raptor excels” says Larry Lawson, executive vice president, general manager of the F/A-22 Raptor program. Taking advantage of the aircraft closely integrated flight and propulsion control of the thrust-vectored engines, Raptor pilots can point the aircraft nose, fly to any direction and launch their weapons through a wide envelope, unmatched by any contemporary adversary. Situational awareness can be shared by several Raptors, based on information provided by each of the fighters through the intra-flight networking.

Introduction of new datalinks is planned for the next upgrade phase could link Raptors with F-35s and B-2s, expanding sensor sharing and situational awareness capbility beyond the F-22 own flight. Future upgrades could also include the re-introduction of the JHMCS helmet-mounted display sight absent from current Raptors, as the fighters were previously considered primarily for BVR engagements. (this is the reason why the AIM-9X hasn’t been integrated onto the aircraft yet) .

Another enhancement is currently underway as the F-22 is being evaluated in the ground-attack with flight testing of Raptors carrying Small Diameter Bomb (SDB) in their weapons bay. With the completion of this task the Raptor will be able to assume part of the missions reserved in the past for the F-117A stealth strike fighter.During recent force-on-force exercises, including Red Flag in Nevada, and Northern Edge in Alaska, Raptors ‘cleaned up’ the skies from enemy ‘aggressors’ soon after the battle started, leaving many ‘unemployed’ Raptors airborne and many frustrated aggressor aloft, “we have counseling for them” jokes Lawson. Overall, Northern Edge ended in an exchange ratio of 80 adversary kills for each Raptor ‘downed ’.

Meanwhile, air combat skills are developed for the F-22 community at the new air combat fighter weapon school at Nellis AFB, where unique operational tactics are developed, examined and trained by Raptor pilots. These tactics employ the fighter’s unique performance and ability to operate in loose formations (maintaining large distance between fighters), relying on their collaborative situational picture, super-aerodynamics and stealth.

Sofar fighter pilots would be assigned to the F-22 after flying F-15s, going through 100 F-22 flight simulator missions. However, according to Lawson, the Raptor proves quite easy to fly and is also planned for less experienced pilots. New pilots are already being trained at Tyndall AFB, the F-22 training center, to fly the Raptor as their first fighter aircraft.

Lockheed Martin already provided 122 Raptors operating from bases in Langley, Virginia and Elmendorf, Alaska. The third unit was launched recently at Holloman AFB, New mexico with Hickam, in Hawaii expected to become the fourth home for the Raptors. The entire fleet accumulates flight hours rapidly, with a total of 47,220 flight hours flown through 32,509 sorties to since the aircraft entered service. The F-22 fleet is expected to fly 21,951 hours throughout 2008, almost half of the entire flight time accumulated to date.

According to Lawson, out of the 122 fighters already delivered, “Seven out of ten aircraft were delivered with zero defects, highlighting the high maturity of the production line” said Lawson. Mission capable rate is currently standing at 70%, with 2.24 maintenance hours required for each flight hour.

However, the program’s future is not clear at present, and is not expected to be determined before the new administration is elected. While the air force is eager to get more Raptors, many lawmakers objected to support the program due to the high acquisition cost. This cost could even increase, if production lines are interrupted by lack of long-lead items .

New F-16 Avionics Upgrades Introduced at Farnborough 2008

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Jul 29, 2008

Despite the plans to replace the Falcons, the F-16 is not going away too soon, and several companies, primarily U.S. based are responding to requirements from current operators, to enhance the operational life of the aircraft and introduce new technologies that could extend its usability for many years. At Farnborough 08 Rayteon and Northrop Grumman displayed new radars, employing AESA technologies that could match the form and fit of current F-16 radars. Raytheon unveiled the Advanced Combat Radar (RACR), utilizing technologies derived from the APG-79 AESA radar used on the F/A-18E/F.

Designed for the fighter retrofit market, the new radar can be employed as ‘drop in’ upgrade for F-16s from Block 30 onward, as well as F/A-18C/Ds operating with several air forces worldwide. The radar is designed with modular approach using self-contained cooling and power management systems to accommodate the limited space available in the aircraft nose and forward sections in a ‘non intrusive’ installation, minimizing modification and installation cost.

Northrop Grumman displayed a model of its Scalable Agile Beam Radar (SABR) AESA radar, unveiled earlier this year in Singapore. This radar will fit into F-16s from Block 50/52 onward, as a drop-in replacement for the company’s APG-69 mechanically scanning radar set.

Another upgrade option from Raytheon is the replacement of backup flight instruments installed at the center of the cockpit with large, vertically mounted 6×8 inch multi-function color ‘Center Pedestal Display’ (CPD) unit. This display is optimally suitable to support situational awareness, digital map displays and video imaging which sofar suffered from lack of proper display capability in the cockpit. CPD is designed to operate in daylight and at night (NVIS) color modes. It is linked to the aircraft databus and communications systems, offering two-way situational awareness datalink (SADL) messaging.

This review covers the following topics:

Super Hornet Stings Back – at Farnborough 2008

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Jul 29, 2008

Boeing is pitching future enhancements of its ‘Super Hornet’ in case JSF encounters cost overrun forcing significant cuts in the program. For the more distant future, Boeing is already considering a future successor of the Super Hornet, with the F/A-XX design. Although the Navy hasn’t issued a formal request for such studies, Boeing Advanced Systems began studying alternative manned as well as unmanned approaches for such ‘6th generation’ multi-role fighter, which should provide significant increase in reach, access, situational awareness, and firepower for future carrier strike groups.

According to Capt. Mark W. Darrah of PMA-265, the Super Hornet is the most affordable replacement for single-mission combat aircraft operated by the US Navy, including the F/A-18C strike fighter and EA-6B airborne jammer, being replaced by the F/A-18G Growler, the F-14A interceptor and S-3B airborne tanker which have already been retired, and the F/A-18C which will be partly replaced by the F-35C in the next decade. The F/A-18E/F is expected to remain in service for more than 30 years and complement the F-35C to enter service within a few years.

This strike fighter introduced much improved capabilities over previous Hornets, particularly with the fielding of more powerful engines and use of the multi-scan capability of the APG-79 AESA radar. Since its introduction to the US Navy, the aircraft has been selected as ‘JSF gap filler’ by the Australian Air Force. The first of 24 aircraft will be delivered in 2010. The new Hornet is also competing for future prospects in India, Brazil, Japan and Denmark.

Boeing highlight’s the Super Hornet offering of ‘next generation technology now’, in contrast to the generation leap promised by the JSF in the future. Boeing claims the advanced capabilities of the Super Hornet, based on the integrated sensor suite combining sensors (AESA radar), situational awareness and targeting capability (joint helmet mounted cueing system JHMCS) and data communications via Multifunction Information Distribution System (MIDS) Link 16 datalinks, coupled with its flexible weapons load, unrestricted by stealth packaging and advanced self protection systems position the Super Hornet as highly capable air-combat platform. Future enhancements derived from JSF and F-22 related developments, such as AIM-9X Block II short range air/air missiles could enhance the F/A-18E/F capability with better engagement ‘Beyond Visual Range’, assisted by future growth of the current AMRAAM weapon, particularly the ability to employ High Off-Boresight (HOBS) engagements, where the missile goes after a threats in its launch aircraft’s rear hemisphere, enabling the crew to engage targets while ‘looking through’ the aircraft. The introduction of Infrared Search & Track capability, could further extend the capability to intercept targets even under restrictive rules of engagement.

Other developments are also underway at Boeing. In January 2008 Boeing announced a teaming agreement with Lockheed Martin Skunk Works to develop a new concept for a future successor of the B-2A bomber, known as ‘Next Generation Bomber’ program. Northrop Grumman is known to be leading the technology demonstration for this project. The future bomber will be available for initial operating capability within a decade (IOC 2018) able to carry ordnance payloads of 14,000 – 28,000 lbs in stealth configuration, striking targets at an operational range of 2,000 nm.

This review covers the following topics:

5th Generation Fighter Dominated by the US – at Farnborough 2008

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Jul 29, 2008

At the airshow, Lockheed Martin’s senior F-22 Raptor test pilot Al Norman provided a play-by-play look at each maneuver the Raptor performed on opening day of the 2008 Farnborough Air Show. He explained how the F-22’s super-aerodynamics becomes a critical factor in close air combat, where the Raptor’s performance is superior to any adversary due to the combination of thrust-to-weight ratio, thrust vectoring capability, multiple, redundant control surfaces and large wing area, all utilized by the flight control computer to maintain super-aerodynamic performance throughout an extremely wide envelope. “The Raptor’s super-aerodynamics, when combined with stealth, speed and 360 degree situational awareness, makes the F-22 the most superior air dominance fighter in the world,” said Norman. A total of 183 Raptors are on contract, and 120 have been delivered. The Raptor was set to make its international public debut outside North America at the Royal International Air Tattoo held at RAF Fairford but the event was cancelled due to bad weather.

Although the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor stole the show for the Farnborough Airshow opening day, wit the absence of Gripen and Rafale, the rest of the week was dominated by Boeing F/A-18E/F and Eurofighter’s Typhoon, the later holds yet uncontested position in the fighter aircraft market, with the largest order book for production fighter aircraft in the market, with total orders for 707 aircraft on contract. At present, with Lockheed Martin struggling to extend F-22 production beyond the current 183, and orders for F-35 production beyond the initial phase unconfirmed yet, none of the Typhoon’s competitors can claim higher figures.

After years of progress, the F-35 Lightning II supersonic, multi-role, 5th generation stealth fighter program is accelerating the pace with two of the three variants in flight tests, and 17 pre-production aircraft in assembly. Yet, one the most crucial phases – actual pricing of the new fighter, is yet to come. The three F-35 variants are derived from a common design and use the same sustainment infrastructure worldwide to replace at least 13 types of aircraft for 11 nations initially.

With the first two production aircraft in fabrication, additional 12 production F35s fully funded and early funding approved for an additional 18 airplanes, negotiations between the lead customers and Lockheed Martin and expected to agree on a unit cost for future production lots, based on multi-year orders. About 372 aircraft could be ordered by the international partners between 2012 and 2016. Initial production aircraft are expected to be released for export in 2014. Lockheed Martin expects its production rate to peak in 2016 at one aircraft per working day, promising to become one of the most ambitious programs in history.

Yet Lockheed Martin hasn’t received firm orders beyond the current low-rate production lot. Furthermore, the company does not provide pricing data for production aircraft, as most cost estimates are based on “2002 dollar” excluding inflation or exchange rate fluctuations. Hence, the unit price for production aircraft, estimated at US$49.5 million for the F-35A, $69.3 million for F-35B and $64.5 million for F-35C could be outdated by now. The US is expected to buy at least 2,443 aircraft of all versions for the US Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps.

Tom Burbage, Lockheed Martin executive vice president and general manager of F-35 Program Integration emphasized the ability of the future lightning II to cooperate in a coalition and joint forces operational environment, gathering and sharing information in real time with different aircraft, troops on the ground and ships at sea. “information the F-35 receives from its sensors or an off-board source can be passed to troops immediately, enabling them to carry out their mission more quickly, more effectively and helping ensure their safety.” Burbage said.

Many air forces are interested in the F-35 program; some have already committed considerable funding for development and testing. The British Royal Navy and Italian Navies are planning to replace their Sea Harriers with STOVL capable F-35Bs. A similar solution is considered by the British RAF and Italian Air Force. Spain is yet undecided but could follow with buying F-35Bs. All together, the U.K. plans to buy 138 STOVL F-35Bs while Italy is interested in buying 131, a mix of F-35A and Bs. Australia and Turkey are interested in buying 100 fighters each, with Israel planning to buy at least 25 (the goal is 75). Canada is expected to decide on the replacement of at least 65 early model CF-18 Hornets by 2012. The F-35A will be considered, against potential competitors such as F/A-18E/F Super Hornet or other future fighters. Other countries considering the F-35 against other alternatives include Netherlands, Denmark and Norway. In all three markets, the F-35A is contested against the Swedish Gripen, which is backed by generous economic incentives to offset these country’s early investments in the JSF program. Eurofighter Typhoon, F/A-18E/F and Rafale are also potential competitors. Similar competition is also expected in Singapore, Japan, and Greece, where details on the actual opportunities or scheduled are not yet available.

This review covers the following topics:

World Aerospace & Defense as Reflected at Farnborough 2008
5th Generation Fighter Dominated by the US
Super Hornet Stings Back
F-16 Upgrades
New Prospects for the Typhoon and Gripen
Russian Fighter’s Comeback
New Weapons at Farnborough 2008
Special Missions Aircraft at Farnborough 2008

New Prospects for the Typhoon and Gripen – Farnborough 2008

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Jul 28, 2008

Despite the significant differences between the two fighters, sales prospects for additional sales for Typhoon and Gripen are similar. The most lucrative opportunity is the tender for 126 fighters in India. Six competitors are eying the Indian program, including Lockheed Martin wit the F-16In, the F/A-18E/F from Boeing, Saab with the Gripen NG, the Rafale from Dassault. Eurofighter offers the Typhoon and MiG proposes the MiG-35. Other near term prospects include Switzerland, where the Swiss Air Force requirement for 30 fighters replacing F-5E/F is currently in competition. Brazil and Romania are both interested in renewing their fighter fleets considering renewing their fighter fleets with requirements for at least 48 fighters. Japan is eying Typhoon as a successor to the F-15J, if its plans to acquire the F-22 fail.

While Saab positions its new Gripen Demo as a potential competitor for next generation fighters such as F35, the company is offering the C, D and NG Gripen models as replacement for early model F-16s. The company is currently producing 31 Gripen C/D aircraft under the Swedish contract. 14 aircraft (12 single and two twin-seaters) were delivered earlier this year to Hungary. The marketing campaign targets potential clients in Europe, Latin America and the Far East. Saab recently struck its first marketing success in Thailand, wit the sale of six Gripens (four two-seaters and two single-seaters) and a single Erieye airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft. In October 2007, the government of Thailand approved the procurement of Gripen fighters to replace the Royal Thai Air Force’s ageing F-5 fleet, and in February 2008 Thailand and Sweden signed contracts for the supply of the initial 6 aircraft Gripen aircraft for the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF); six additional fighters and another Erieye aircraft are funded under the $1.1 billion program.

According to Bob Kemp, Marketing Director for Gripen International, four prospects for the Gripen are considered ‘near-term; (within 24 months) including Croatia, Romania, India and Switzerland. Together, these tenders represent a market for more than 216 aircraft. For the longer term (2012-2013) more opportunities are rising in the Balkans, Eastern Europe and Scandinavia – including Greece, Bulgaria, Slovakia, Brazil, Norway, Denmark and, possibly the Netherlands. The last three are currently members of the Joint Strike Fighter team and for Saab, winning a competition against the future fighter could represent a big success that could have ripple effect on its entire future prospects.

Unlike past designs which focused on air superiority air/air capabilities and provided air/ground as a secondary priority, current fighters are considered ‘multirole’ in nature, and assume air/ground capabilities as soon as possible. Both the French Rafale and Eurofighter Typhoon completed air-ground capability tests, with Rafale already participating in combat operations in Afghanistan earlier in 2008. RAF Typhoons were declared ‘combat ready’ for air/ground missions on July 1st 2008, following an intensive exercise in the USA. Typhoon has also passed Type Acceptance Block 5 for air-to-air and air-to-ground capability, signature for the First Phase Enhancements contract, signature for the contracts of the Salam Project and submitting the proposals for the third Tranche of Eurofighter Typhoon on schedule.

This review covers the following topics:

World Aerospace & Defense as Reflected at Farnborough 2008
5th Generation Fighter Dominated by the US
Super Hornet Stings Back
F-16 Upgrades
New Prospects for the Typhoon and Gripen
Russian Fighter’s Comeback
New Weapons at Farnborough 2008
Special Missions Aircraft at Farnborough 2008

The Russian Fighter’s Comeback – Farnborough 2008

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Jul 27, 2008

Sukhoi 35 and MiG-35 will soon join other Russian fighters at the stables of Russia’s national United Aircraft Corporation (UAC). The designer and producer of the venerable MiG, Russian Aircraft Corporation (RAC) announced plans to join UAC later this year. RAC has been listed earlier this year as a public joint stock company traded at the Moscow stock exchange. MiG-35 will be available for demonstration this year, while the larger Su-35 has recently made its public debut during a demonstration flight arranged for defense attaches and foreign representatives near Moscow, marking the beginning of an aggressive marketing campaign positioning the Russian strike fighter as a viable competitor against western 4+ and 5th generation competitors.

The new fighter differs from the Su-30MKI in the absence of the canard foreplanes, resulting from the introduction of a new fly-by-wire control system, integrating all flight control surfaces and wheel-brake control to fly the aircraft. The Su-35 uses 12 hardpoints to carry weapons and external fuel. Like other Generation 4++ fighters, Su-35 was designed with reduced radar cross section, particularly in the X-band (fire control) band, reducing detection in head-on engagement. Su-35 uses two Saturn 117S turbofan engines prepared for thrust vectoring capability if such option is selected by the client. The cockpit uses two large (15 inch) high resolution (1400×1050) color multifunction displays providing optimal situational awareness and control of all aircraft functions and weapons. The HUD has a field of view covering 20×30 degrees. The aircraft is equipped with the Ibris-E phased array radar which can detect aerial targets wit cross section of 3 m2 head on from 400 km. It is capable of tracking up to 30 air targets while continuously scanning the airspace, and engaging up to eight targets simultaneously. In air/ground mode the radar can track four targets simultaneously and engage two of them with different mapping modes. The Ibris-E is a new radar currently undergoing flight testing, in anticipation for future introduction into production versions of the Su-35.

MiG-35

For the smaller and presumably more affordable MiG, the most significant prospect for MiG is the MRCA tender in India, where Moscow is offering the MiG-35, the latest, most sophisticated derivative of the Fulcrum platform.

Anatoly Belov, Director General of the MiG Corporation said his company plans to demonstrate a single seater MIG-35 and two-seater (MiG-35D) to the Indian Air Force by year’s end or early 2009. “Both aircraft will be MiG-35 prototypes fitted with all the equipment required by the Indian Air Force tender. During the course of this demonstration we will show the main capabilities of the aircraft and of some of the weapons we propose for the tender.” said Belov. According to the tender plans, by mid-2009 two contenders will be chosen, from which the Indians will select their preferred supplier. The winner of the tender will supply 18 aircraft and help to establish the production of a further 108 aircraft at the facilities of Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd in India.

The Russian MiG is designed for service life 2.5 up over existing Fulcrums, it carries increased fuel capacity and has an option for air-to-air refueling (similar to the MiG-29K). The MiG-35 has an increased maximum gross takeoff weight and more flexible ordnance load, utilizing additional hardpoints for external fuel tanks and weapon stations. The MiG-35 uses quad-redundant fly-by-wire system and avionic suite based on open architecture, among the new systems are an active electronic scanning array radar (The Indians will be able to select different radars – Russian or international designs to match with the aircraft), it will also use advanced electro-optical air/air and air/ground targeting systems, also provided by international manufacturers. Survivability has also been improved, with design refinements reducing the aircraft radar cross-section and employment of improved electronic defense systems.

MiG-29K/KUB

The latest versions of the MiG-29 currently in production is represented by the generation “4++”, characterized by the new MiG-29K/KUB currently in production, scheduled to be delivered to the Indian Navy soon. This shipborne version of the MiG-29 represents the baseline of the new family of fighters offered by the company. It is equipped with quad-redundant digital fly-by-wire system, an improved fuel system and increased combat load. The aircraft is equipped with the Zhuk-ME multimode radar, electro-optical targeting system and target designation capability for passive anti-radiation missiles. It is offered with an ‘open architecture’ avionics bus incorporating Russian or other (international) avionics systems. A land-based version of this aircraft is designated MiG-29M/M2.

MiG-29 Upgrades

Upgrading of older MiG-29s is also underway. The most recent is the modernization of Fulcrums operated by the Slovak Air Force. These MiG-29SD aircraft upgraded with participation of US, German, Czech and Russian providers jointly retrofitting the Russian-made fighters to meet the latest NATO standards. The program included the installation of modern avionics mandated by NATO. The IFF used was made by BAE Systems while navigation and communications systems were provided by Rockwell Collins. The aircraft uses cockpit displays produced in Russia. An important aspect of this upgrade was the formal approval by the Russian Government, which was provided under the “umbrella” contract negotiated and concluded between the Slovakian Defense Ministry and RAC МiG since 2002. The retrofit is done in Slovakia, at the Letecke Opravovne Trencin (LOT) facilities in the city of Trencin. To enhance operational lifespan, the aircraft was equipped with new diagnostic system and new method of performance based logistics (PBL) was implemented, extending the aircraft service life to 40 years and 4,000 flight hours. According to RAC, similar measures are being applied to other MiG-29s operated in Central and Eastern European countries, including Poland and Bulgaria, to extend their air fleets’ combat readiness. For example, in Poland, the Polish Air Force has taken a decision to continue operating their MiG-29s till 2025.

Other upgrades offered by the Russians include the MiF-29SM, a multi-role fighter that undergoes avionics improvement, focusing on operational enhancement regarding air/air and anti-ship weapons capabilities. According to MiG, a prototype of the modernized aircraft has been tested, and serial production of the retrofit has been implemented with initial aircraft entering operational status. The company offers a more extensive upgrade under the MiG-29SMT ‘Generation 4+’ upgrade plan, as well as newly produced aircraft. The program includes the Zhuk-ME radar, partial ‘glass cockpit’ with two multifunction displays and full HOTAS functionality. MiG claims this upgrade entered serial production in 2004 with deliveries currently underway.

This review covers the following topics:

Special Missions Aircraft at Farnborough 2008

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Jul 26, 2008

Special mission aircraft were among the hottest military topics at Farnborough 2008, highlighting the crucial role such assets provide for national security and operational capability in modern, asymmetric warfare. Among the new aircraft present at the airshow were the Israeli Eitam based on the G550 business jet, unveiled by Gulfstream and IAI, and the Erieye 2000 AEW&C aircraft based on the Saab-2000 platform. The ASTOR, based on a Bombardier’s Global Express business jet modified by Raytheon to carry the Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) was also on display. Other players active in the world market are Embraer is also offering a line of military platforms based on its EMB-145.

What is making a normal business jet or regional transport aircraft a good Special Mission aircraft? There is no straight forward answer, as the suitability of the platform depends on many factors – operational, technical and economical. Operational aspects critical for such missions are climb rate, operating ceiling and fuel consumption at cruising speed – all translating into lowering operating cost. Since special mission aircraft are operating continuously, in peacetime or at war, operating costs will soon outweigh the initial cost of platform acquisition. Business jets are commonly offering the highest ‘miles per gallon’ economy, and are available at lower acquisition cost, compared to single isle passenger planes such as the Airbus A319 and Boeing 737. However, the larger platforms are selected when requirements for space-and-mission payload require larger cabins, or installation of special equipment (underwing stores, weapons bay or dorsal radar). Military transport planes are also converted to special missions, primarily used platforms operating in third world countries. These include various types of C-130 and the German/French Atlantique 2 maritime surveillance aircraft.

Another aspect under consideration, is the mission the aircraft is designed for. Some missions require heavy modifications to accommodate special avionics such as the Airborne Early Waning (AEW) and SAR radar. Signals Intelligence aircraft carry an array of sensors placed after careful electronic mapping and balancing for optimal performance. Martime patrol and anti-submarine warfare require installation of radar as well as means for droping acoustic sensors for subsurface monitoring and surveillance. Yet, some of these platforms could also have a secondary mission, utilizing its unique performance – support special contingencies as a flying command post, airborne communications and relay or even search and rescue. This flexible and modular approach is implemented with some military transport aircraft such as the ‘pre-wired’ special mission C-130s, using ‘roll-on’ container accommodating specific mission equipment, or the Israeli G550, utilizing an external ‘canoe’ shaped sensor pod fitted to the forward belly, operated by common multi-mission workstations, converting the aircraft from one mission to another.

Other platforms accommodate different roles by utilizing common operating workstations, flexible electronic and electrical layout in the cabin designed to accommodate change. These aircraft are commonly larger, designed to have enough reserves in pressurized cabin space, power availability and payload capacity to accommodate growth.

While Gulfstream, Embraer, Bombardier and Saab displayed slick business planes, converted into special mission aircraft, Boeing presented two derivatives of its B-737 passenger plane, modified for a range of special missions, including airborne early warning and control (AEW&C), maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare and electronic surveillance and signals intelligence (SIGINT). None were actually displayed at the Farnborough airshow, as both aircraft are not yet operational. The first of 114 P-8A Poseidon US Navy aircraft, based on a B-737-800 is in production in the USA while the first three AEW&C platforms, based on the B-737-700 undergoing flight testing for future delivery to Australia and Turkey.

Saab promoted its new range of special mission platforms based on its Saab 2000 commercial turbo-prop powered aircraft. The company is proposing to withdraw aircraft from commercial users and convert them into AEW&C, SIGINT and maritime search missions. Similar modifications were provided by Embraer for its EMB-145 aircraft. Although this platform failed to satisfy a US Army requirement for signals intelligence platform, Embraer claims that there is enough space, power and accommodation for quite demanding missions. Earlier in July Embraer announced a teaming with India’s DRDO to develop an AEW&C aircraft based on the EMB-145.

Finally, Gulfstream and IAI unveiled at Farnborough the first conformal installation of AEW&C performed on a business jet. The system dubbed ‘Eitam’ (Sea Eagle) was developed to accommodate the requirements of the Israeli and Singaporean air forces.

This review covers the following topics:

World Aerospace & Defense as Reflected at Farnborough 2008
5th Generation Fighter Dominated by the US
Super Hornet Stings Back
F-16 Upgrades
New Prospects for the Typhoon and Gripen
Russian Fighter’s Comeback
New Weapons at Farnborough 2008
Special Missions Aircraft at Farnborough 2008

SOCOM Selects the Puma for Hand-Launched Multi-Purpose UAV

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Jul 25, 2008

The U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) selected the Puma AE mini-UAV as its All Environment Capable Variant (AECV), a multi-purpose, hand-held mini-UAV that should satisfy all the command’s requirements in a single platform. SOCOM is expected to award AeroVironment (AV) Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV) an award for the first year (The initial delivery order valued at about $6 million is already funded), and has options to extend the program over five years up to a maximum value of US$200 million.

The selection culminates AV’s marketing efforts that included demonstrating the Puma’s suitability for a wide range of climatc and environmental operations conditions, including deployment at sea. Puma AE is the third generation of the AeroVironment Puma mini UAV designed to land near-vertically on both land and water. It is equipped with a day- and night-capable, waterproof sensor package that provides image tracking, image stabilization and high-image quality. The system incorporates the same hand-held Ground Control Unit used by U.S. Department of Defense and allied military customers to control the Raven and Wasp systems. Ship-based use of Puma AE requires no modification to naval vessels, enabling easy integration into maritime operations. The AECV program represents the fourth U.S. Department of Defense full and open competition for a small UAS program of record, and the fourth such competition won by AV.

British MoD Awards £3 Billions in Contracts for Two new Aircraft Carriers

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Jul 25, 2008

A project for the construction of two new aircraft carriers was launched today (July 3, 2008) with the signature of contracts worth around £3 billion, between the British Ministry of Defence (MoD), the newly-formed UK maritime Joint Venture, BVT Surface Fleet, and the Aircraft Carrier Alliance, assigned for the unprecedented job. The contract was signed onboard the Royal Fleet Flagship HMS Ark Royal, one of the Royal Navy’s existing aircraft carriers.

BVT, formed officially two days earlier by BAE Systems and VT Group on 1 July 2008, won the lion’s share of the program, amounting to £1.325 billion for the construction of large subsections, to be produced at Govan on the Clyde and Portsmouth. BVT plans to begin construction later this year.

Members of the Aircraft Carrier Alliance received a total £1.675 Billion of the program. £300 million are allocated to BAE Systems yard at Barrow-in-Furness, for the construction of large subsections. Babcock Marine won £675 Million for the construction of the bow section Rosyth, where final assembly and completion will be made. £425 million were allocated to Thales UK for design and engineering and £275M for BAE Systems Integrated Systems Technologies (Insyte) for the design and supply of Mission Systems. These contracts followed preliminary contracts signed earlier in 2008 ordering long-lead items for the two aircraft carriers, including raw materials and systems (steel sheets, diesel generators, aircraft lifts and key electronics.)

According to Baroness Taylor, Minister for Defence Equipment and Support, the new construction work will create and sustain around 10,000 UK jobs at the peak of production.

The future aircraft carriers, to be named HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH and HMS PRINCE OF WALES, will be the biggest and most powerful surface warships ever constructed in the UK. The new carriers are expected to enter service in 2014 and 2016 respectively. Both vessels are expected to remain in the fleet for at least thirty years. Each carrier will displace 65,000 tons at deep load. Its flight deck will measure 280m long by 70m wide. Each carrier will accommodate around 1,500 personnel and operate a mix of up to 40 aircraft, mostly vertical take off and landing (VTOL) capable F-35B Lightning II and various helicopters.

Boeing 737-700 Based Early Warning & Control Aircraft

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Jul 25, 2008

An Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) derivative of the Boeing 737 other special-mission aircraft family is based on a modified B-737-700. The first B-737 based AEW&C was developed for the Australian Air Force and was later adapted by the Turkish and Korean air forces. The aircraft is heavily modified with a dorsal superstructure ‘blade’ called ‘top hat’, carrying The Multi-role Electronically Scanned Array (MESA) radar developed by Northrop Grumman employs two faces of multiple-element steerable beam, L-band electronically scanned arrays, designed to provide optimal performance in range, tracking, and accuracy. The MESA radar is able to track over 3,000 airborne and maritime targets simultaneously and can help the mission crew direct the control of fighter aircraft while continuously scanning the operational area.

The two arrays are installed vertically, back-to-back, covering 360 degrees, in both air and maritime search modes. The radar covers over 200 nmi range at all weather, augmented with the IFF coverage of up to 300 nmi range. The aircraft has a spacious cabin accommodating 6-10 workstations and rest area for, 6-10 mission crew members and two pilots. The Boeing 737-700 AEW&C has an operational ceiling of 41,000 ft and range of 3,500 nmi.

The communications suite is defined by the customer, but commonly includes three HF channels, four VHF/UHF and four dedicated UHF channels, Link 11 and 16 encrypted datalinks and two Have Quick channels.

The ‘top hat’ radar installation provides a practical solution for fore and aft coverage while maintaining the low drag profile of the dorsal array system. This allows the system to be installed on the mid-size 737-700 platform without significant impact on aircraft performance. However, due to the thin profile, this installation posed quite a challenge for the radar designers, offering limited space for transmit/receive element arrays across the longitudinal axis. Another innovation is the integrated Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) sharing of the primary radar arrays to further reduce weight, improve reliability, and simplify target correlation.

The Australian Defence Force was the lead customer for the system, selecting the 737 AEW&C system dubbed ‘Wedgetail’ in July 1999. A contract for Project Wedgetail was signed in December 2000 for four 737â€“700 aircraft and six AEW&C systems plus options for three additional systems. In 2004, Australia exercised options to purchase two additional 737-700 aircraft. Deliveries from te US began in 2005. Three aircraft are being flight tested in the US while modification of the other three is performed at the Boeing facility at RAAF base Amberley in Australia.

Challenging Integration Task

Being the first of its class, the Australian Wedgetail has encountered significant integration challenges that caused at least three years delay. As of July 2008, the system has not been declared operational. The problems are believed to be related to the intergation and performance of the radar, datalinks and electronic support measures. as well as software and hardware modifications. Fixes included engineering changes to the ‘Top Hat’ structure, were introduced as early as 2006 but until 2008 the program hasn’t stabilized yet. Delivery of the first two aircraft is scheduled for July 2009. In July 2008 Boeing announced that the first two aircraft, equipped with the electronic warfare suite (but not the main radar or ESM) will be ready in early 2010, soon to be followed by the other four, to be delivered with full capability in 2010. The delay was the main reason for $248 million write-off announced by Boeing on the Second Quarter of 2008.

Turkey was the second customer for the system, selecting the Boeing-led team in 2000. The program, known as Peace Eagle, includes four 737 AEW&C aircraft. The first aircraft is undergoing flight testing in the USA with the remaining three being modified by Turkish Aerospace Industries in Ankara, Turkey. Boeing will also provide four 737 AEW&C aircraft to the Republic of Korea as part of the EX program. Despite the delays in the fielding of the Australian aircraft, Boeing does not anticipate delays on the Turkish or South Korean deliveries, as both are expected to begin by the time the Australian systems become fully operational. Delivery of the first fully operational system for Turkish is scheduled for 2010 and the first EX is scheduled to be delivered by 2012.

Read more about Special Mission Aircrafts:

Special Missions Aircraft at Farnborough 2008
G550 AEW Unveiled
Saab Debut ‘2000 Special Mission Aircraft
Boeing P-8A Poseidon Special Missions Aircraft
Boeing 737-700 Based Early Warning & Control Aircraft

Defense-UpdateMilitary Technology & Defense News

Defense-UpdateMilitary Technology & Defense News

Mysterious Explosions

By David Eshel

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MiG-29 Upgrades

Challenging Integration Task

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